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Marlene Appel

4.4
7 reviews

3411 N 5th Avenue, Suite 300, Phoenix, AZ 85013

Probate Administration, Trust Administration, Probate Litigation and 3 more

About Marlene Appel

Certified Private Fiduciary (Arizona Supreme Court). Court Commissioner Pro Tem, Probate Division, Maricopa County Superior Court, 1988—. Judge Pro Tem, Probate Division, Maricopa County Superior Court, 1990—. Recipient, Eleanor ter Horst Distinguished Service Award, Probate and Trust Section, State Bar of Arizona, 2007. Adjunct Professor, Phoenix College of Law, Wills and Estates Practice Skills Module, Fall 2007. Faculty, Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, 2009.

 

Marlene Appel (Phoenix, Arizona) View website

Awards

Client Reviewed
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Champion Badge Reviewed
AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV

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Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

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AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Marlene Appel got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

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Reviews for Marlene

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Overall Rating
4.4
See All Reviews
7
3.0
Lawyers.com
4
4.8
Martindale
1
5.0
Avvo
2
Showing 1-4 of 4 client reviews from Lawyers.com
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5 stars
50%
4 stars
0%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
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1 star
50%
What do people say on Lawyers.com?
Communication
3.0
Quality of Service
3.0
Responsiveness
3.0
Value for Money
3.0
Wills and Probate
Posted by James
December 02, 2025
Hired Attorney

I'm honored that Marlene has been my arbitration attorney for nearly the past six years. Marlene sets the bar for other attorneys to follow. She's an excellent communicator, for one. She's handled my late mother's estate with great care and respect. I appreciate that she has worked so hard to bring my mother's Estate to conclusion. I couldn't have asked for a better representative of my mother. Thank you, Marlene.

 
Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
April 26, 2017
Hired Attorney

She took the time to get to know my needs and found the best and most direct solution to get the results that I needed. 9 years later when I had a question and called her office, she took the call immediately, took time to talk to me over the phone, very quickly recalled my case, and offered assistance and advice.
She's not only excellent at what she does, she is human, and in this day and age I find that to be invaluable.

 
Wills and Probate
Posted by Farrah
January 05, 2025
Hired Attorney

Marlene Appel is a horrible person in the area of probate and getting things done appropriately, swiftly and in a cost-efficient way. Don’t use her or her company. She does not reply in a timely manner and avoids taking responsibility for her actions of overcharging and inappropriate billing. I give her ZERO STARS. She will rob you blind and then go on a vacation. Speaking from personal experience with her. She’s awful.

 
Wills and Probate
Posted by anonymous
January 05, 2025
Hired Attorney

The few times I have spoke to Marlene regarding my case she was lacking in knowledge and ambition. I found her handling my estate without keeping her clients informed racking up large fees with little to no progress. Everything would hear from her she is going on vacation. Not pleased speaking with her, she was brash and hostile leaving me unsettled much less conflicted with legal options availability. Many questions left unanswered by Marlene after a year handling my case and still no response from her, just an outrageous bill!

 
From the Martindale-Avvo Legal Network

Services

Areas of Law

  • Trusts and Estates 1
    • Guardianship and Conservatorship
  • Other 5
    • Probate Administration
    • Trust Administration
    • Probate Litigation
    • Trust Litigation
    • Expert Witness Consultation

Practice Details

  • Payment Information
    Payment & Cost Features
    Fixed hourly rates
    Fixed fees available
  • Firm Information
    Position
    Member
    Firm Name
    Marlene Appel, PLLC
  • Representative Cases & Transactions
    Cases
    Estate of P.K.L. v J.K.S. (Div. 1 App., 1997) 189 Ariz. 487, 943 P2d 847.

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1977, Arizona
    Memberships
    Maricopa County Bar Association (Member, Board of Directors, Estate Planning Section, 1996-1998)
    State Bar of Arizona (Member, Executive Council, Probate and Trust Section 1988-1992
    Co-Chairman, 1990-1991)
    Member, Advisory Commission on Estate & Trust Specialization, 1991-1999
    Member, Sole Practitioners Litigation Committee, 1995—
    Member, Arizona Supreme Court, Probate Rules Committee, 2006—
    Member, Continuing Legal Education Committee, 1991-1995
    Arizona Association of Women Lawyers.
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    Arizona State University
    Class of 1977
    J.D.
    Other Education
    Arizona State University
    Class of 1974
    B.A.
    cum laude

    Northwestern University
    Legal Certifications
    Certified Specialist, Estate and Trust Law, Arizona Board of Legal Specialization
  • Personal Details & History
    Age
    Born in 1950
    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, September 7, 1950

Contact Marlene Appel

Member at Marlene Appel, PLLC
4.4
7 reviews

3411 N 5th Avenue, Suite 300Phoenix, AZ 85013U.S.A.

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Fax: 602-257-4276
Office Hours:
  • Monday 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Tuesday 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Wednesday 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Thursday 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Friday 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

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Attorneys FAQs

  • What year was this attorney first admitted to the bar?
    Marlene Appel was admitted in 1977 to the State of Arizona.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, Marlene Appel has a 4.8 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • Does this attorney offer any legal services for a flat fee?
    Yes, Marlene Appel offers fixed fees for certain legal services.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    Marlene Appel attended Arizona State University.

Attorney information displayed in this FAQ section is based upon information the lawyer has included on their profile, in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals.

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